The Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DOENI) has consulted on proposals to make site waste management plans (SWMP) a legal requirement for certain construction and demolition projects in Northern Ireland.
The consultation closed on 11 March 2011. The regulations will be called The Site Waste Management Plans Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and are expected to come into force in autumn 2011.
Who will the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 affect?
If you are involved in construction, demolition or excavation projects, with an estimated cost greater than £300,000, you will be affected by the new regulations and will be required to prepare a SWMP. The regulations will include all methods of construction, including civil engineering, modifications to existing constructions, site preparation, on-site pre-fabrication and work relating to utilities.
What is a site waste management plan?
A SWMP is a plan that details the amount and type of waste that will be produced on a construction site and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed of. The plan must be updated during the construction process.
There are additional requirements if the cost of the project is greater than £500,000.
Who will be responsible for the SWMP?
The client and principal contractor will be responsible for the SWMP. They must ensure sub-contractors employed on the site are aware of and comply with the key waste management controls.
What happens next?
The DOENI will consider the responses received to the consultation and use them to develop the proposals. The regulations should come into force in autumn 2011.
The above information is courtesy of Netregs.
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